Formula One’s acclaimed safety guru Professor Sid Watkins now has a hospital unit named after him which cares for brain injury patients.
The celebrated neurosurgeon, a close friend of F1 chief Bernie Eccleston, had a building opened in his memory in Liverpool, his birthplace.
The Sid Watkins complex was unveiled this week at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, catering for those battling against serious brain illnesses.
Sid, who died two years ago, aged 84, was a close friend of the late three-time champion Ayrton Senna, and served as the sport’s medical delegate from 1978 until 2004.
Invited into F1 by Ecclestone, the OBE-holder played a major role in saving the lives of several Grand Prix drivers after heavy crashes and virtually eliminated circuit deaths in the sport.
The three-storey building, which will also house a rehab unit and pain management centre, was hailed by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, who said: “Professor Sid Watkins was one of the greatest men of medicine that I have ever encountered.
“His dedication to constantly finding new ways of doing things, to give people another chance to enjoy life, was a huge asset to both the world of medicine and to those who were fortunate enough to have his help and talent to provide life.
“Professor Watkins’ contribution to saving the lives of many people in motorsport will never be forgotten and it’s absolutely appropriate that this new development will assist in ensuring that Professor Sid Watkins will be remembered forever, by the naming of this excellent facility in his honour.”
Among the drivers he saved were Ferrari’s Didier Pironi at the 1982 German Grand Prix, Jordan’s Rubens Barrichello at Imola in 1994 and McLaren’s Mika Hakkinen at Adelaide in 1995.
Susan Watkins, Sid’s widow, said: “My husband would have been proud to know that his name has been attached to this rehabilitation facility, both its calibre and scope reflect his own attitudes to patient care, and his concern for the ongoing needs of those who suffer from neurological diseases and injuries requiring long-term treatment.
“In this way it is a reflection of his life’s work and, in a sense, brings him home to his roots in Liverpool.”
Sid was a surgeon who led the way in brain and spine stimulation, Parkinson’s disease and was at the forefront of establishing the Royal London Hospital’s helicopter emergency service.
His work, which also benefited horse trials and rally car events, ultimately led to changes in the design of all cars so serious injury would be massively reduced.
After Senna’s death in 1994, Professor Watkins was appointed Chairman of the FIA Expert Advisory Safety Committee and ultimately became President of the FIA Institute of Motor Sport Safety.
The Walton Centre’s chief executive Chris Harrop said: “He is a legendary figure and inspirational to doctors here and around the world. It is very fitting that our new building is providing fabulous facilities for patients recovering from brain injuries and illness; and for training junior doctors aspiring to be the next Professor Watkins.”